[Role of apoptosis and chronic prostatitis in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common hyperplastic disease in aging male. The prostatic hyperplasia results from imbalance of immunoneuroendocrine homeostasis in which a paracrine activity of growth factors plays a substantial role. The mechanisms of BPH are multifactorial and are not yet recognized in the all details. Cell growth in the normal prostate is regulated by a delicate balance between cell death and cell proliferation. Disruption of the molecular mechanisms that regulate these processes may underline the abnormal growth of the prostate. On the basis of literature we have reviewed the role of endocrine environment, growth factors, intracellular proteins, pharmacological agents, microelements and particular role of the chronic prostatitis in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia.